Dongsha Marine National Park records 61 new insect species  The land insect surveys have fruitful results

Diplacodes trivialis(侏儒蜻蜓)

Spodoptera picta (彩灰翅夜蛾)

To acquire a more complete understanding of the land insects in the park, in 2008 the Marine National Park HQ commissioned the Department of Entomology of National Chung Hsing University to carry out a systematic survey of the distribution, number and habitat of insects on the atoll. 61 species were previously unrecorded in the park, showing that park’s land has rich island-type insect bio-diversity.

The park HQ said that the Chung Hsing research team carried out two surveys in 2005 and recorded 125 insect species from 73 families. This year, two surveys have been carried out so far. 186 species have been found from 70 families and 15 orders, 61 species more than in 2005.Amongst these, Dragonfly.(Anax panybeus麻斑晏蜓), Diplacodes trivialis(侏儒蜻蜓), Achaea janata(三點粗腳夜蛾) and Spodoptera picta (彩灰翅夜蛾)are relatively large newly recorded species, showing that the park’s island-type insects are abundant and there is room for more research.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Marine National Park Headquarters